Improvement in iviats for picture-frames



v H. S. HALE.

Mats for Picture-Frames.

N0,]56,788, Patented Nov. 10,1874.

HENRY S. HALE, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO HALE, KILBURN & 00., OF SAME PLACE.

IMPROVEMENT IN MATS FQR PICTURE-FRAMES.

Specification forming part of Le tters Patent No. B 56,7, dated November 10, 1874; application filed May 13, 1873.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HENRY S. HALE, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, have invented an Improved Picture-Frame Mat, of which the following is a specification:

The object of my invention is to produce a cheap, ornamental, and attractive pictureframe mat by cutting through the material of which the mat is composed scroll or other ornaments or tracery, through which a backing of colored paper or other fabric, or any brilliant material, can be observed.

The mat A, illustrated in the face view, Fig. 1, and in section, Fig. 2, has a central opening, B, of any appropriate form, for the dis play of the picture, the edges of the said opening being bound by the usual metal edging a. In the body of the mat are cut openings 0 of such forms as the taste of the designer may suggest; and to the rear face of the mat is secured a sheet of colored paper, thin metal, or fabric, b, which, being displayed at the parts where the mat is cut away, presents an attractive appearance. The mats thus produced, while equalling in their ornamentation the carved, engraved, or painted mats hitherto employed, are produced at a cost much below that of the ordinary mats, which demand separate manipulation to produce the desired ornamental effect, while a number of the improved mats may be cut at one time by a scroll-saw or other instrument. In cutting the mats away, however in order to display the backing, the projecting portions are frequently left with little or no support, as, for instance, the tongues c c, Fi 1; and such parts are liable to be broken, and to'become Warped under the influence of heat or moisture. In order to obviate this, I prefer to make the mat of two or more veneers, i t", Fig. 2, cemented together, and so arranged that the grain of one shall cross that of the other. Thus constructed,the mat can be out and handled with little danger of injury, and the warping and twisting of delicate portions of the tracery are prevented.

HENRY S. HALE. Witnesses:

WM. A. STEEL, HUBERT Howson. 

